NHL Rumors I: Holy Smoke – Sharks, Leafs, Panthers and Senators

Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “The Sharks are obviously trying to go through something of an overhaul” … “Don’t know if that [DW saying he wants players who want to play & not just live in SJ] is a shot about anyone in particular” … “I can tell you this, the sense in SJ when the season ended was if coach & GM would be back then Thornton or Marleau wouldn’t be” … “Now keep in mind, both [Marleau & Thornton] have NMC & they’re not going anywhere if they don’t want to” … “Thornton is not going to be too quickly predisposed to leave SJ even though he might get the sense that they’d like him to leave” … “I think Thornton’s name is going to be eminently available in trade talk, but again he holds the final cards” … “Curious situation for the SJ b/c trying to maybe move forward into a new era but they just signed both guys to 3 year contracts” … “I suspect both guys might think they took hometown discounts in order to stay in SJ & they’ve got NMC that go with it and now, all of a sudden, they may be asked to relocate & I imagine the players would think: whoa, wait a minute we took less than market value to stay in SJ & now you’ve quickly decided you want to move in a new direction?” … “I think that whole Marleau/Thornton v SJ situation is going to be fascinating to see how it plays out” … “I think the first round exit changed everything in terms of the dynamic in SJ” … “But listen we’re watching the Kings going to the Final here & the Sharks had them down 3-0.” … “Whether the combination of the Sharks blowing it or the Kings overtaking them, this Sharks group has never made Final and rarely made the Conf final so same change has to come” … “Kind of torn between looking at SJ & saying you know what they can come back intact next yr & be the team we thought they were, but I don’t think you can sell that to the market in SJ and that’s why change is being looked at harder than it was prior to signing Marleu/Thornton to extensions”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “Marleau and Thornton are two names that are legitimately in play and it could get ugly in SJ due to their NMC”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “I’m sure Thornton doesn’t want to leave SJ & he’s going to fight, scratch, claw and do everything he can to hold tight” .. “I’m sure in Thornton’s world he’d like to be bought out by the Sharks but that’s not how they do business.”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “Speculation continues to build that Tallon is keenly interested in Bolland.” … “Nonis & Shanahan are going to try & sign him but if they can’t get him below $5 million they’ll trade his rights” … “Shanahan will lean on Nonis who has spent more time in that GM chair in Toronto”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “I think Toronto is going to be active in some of those big names that will be out there. Leafs still need that big centre” Dreger says that the Leafs could be looking at Hurricanes Eric Staal.

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “I’m sure Nonis & Shanahan have spent a long time trying to develop a vision that both agree is best for the Leafs” … “If they’ve done that then they’re not sharing what ultimately that vision is” … “I think Leafs are very realistic and know where they are as an organization. Want to make moves to push things along, not expedite” … “Nonis isn’t one who is willing to blow things up because he sees a quick fix. That’s not him at all. He’s realistic” … “I think Nonis manages in a very methodical fashion. He looks to improve by trade, FA & draft.” … “To get a Sam Bennett you’re going to have to move some pieces to get into that position or it’s going to get real ugly…””…I don’t think there’s much of a stomach to do that”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “Every time I’ve spoken to Tallon he has told me that he’ll be active & he won’t be restricted by finances like in the past”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “The Spezza watch is in full alert. Bryan Murray is telling teams they have to pay the price he paid to get Bobby Ryan”